February 18th in History

1841: First continuous filibuster in US Senate began, lasting until March 11
1915: During World War 1, Germany blockades Britain with submarines
1921: British troops occupy Dublin, Ireland
1930: Pluto discovered by Clyde Tombaugh
1965: Gambia gains independence
1972: A report suggested that alcohol abuse was the nation's biggest problem

February 18th birthdays

1517: Mary Tudor, Daughter of Henry VIII
1745: Alessandro Volta, Italian scientist
1838: Ernst Mach, British Physicist, after whom Mach speed numbers are named
1896: Andre Breton, French poet.
1931: Toni Morrison, American writer.
1942: Milos Forman, Czech director.
1954: John Travolta, American actor
1959: Greta Scacchi, American actress